As if navigating the challenges of “homeschooling,” nonstop sanitizing, and relentless news consumption wasn’t overwhelming enough, my home—the supposed sanctuary during these turbulent times—has morphed into a chaotic disaster zone. What used to resemble the typical messiness of family life has escalated into a fusion of a classroom, library, rec center, and gym. It’s a lot to handle.
Some people manage to roll with the punches, embracing the “messiness of life.” Unfortunately, I am not one of those individuals. Clutter drives me absolutely crazy, even under normal circumstances. During this pandemic, it’s left me feeling quite frazzled.
I regularly deal with anxiety, usually keeping it in check through therapy, self-care, and an as-needed prescription for Xanax. However, clutter is a significant trigger for my anxiety, and right now, it’s at an all-time high.
Research shows that clutter can amplify feelings of anxiety and depression. According to psychologist Taylor Morgan, clutter bombards our minds with unnecessary stimuli, making it challenging to focus. It creates a sense that our tasks are never-ending—something I relate to deeply—and it complicates even the simplest of actions, like locating keys or a past-due bill.
The Current State of My Home
At present, my dining room has been transformed into a makeshift fourth-grade classroom and office. The living room is cluttered with hoverboards, stray socks, and empty glasses. Our basement has turned into a “teen cave,” littered with gaming headsets and chairs rearranged for optimal play. Meanwhile, the kitchen resembles a messy dining hall after a frat party.
It’s driving me up the wall. Between helping one child with sentence diagrams and troubleshooting tech issues in the online classroom, I’m drowning in a sea of worksheets piling up on the countertop. Rather than a quick post-dinner clean-up, I find myself tidying up after breakfast, lunch, dinner, and countless snacks throughout the day. My dishwasher is practically crying out, “Enough already!”
Clothes are strewn all over the place due to constant outfit changes, and gaming devices seem to multiply overnight. Just walking past my sons’ room can induce heart palpitations, as I brace myself for an impending meltdown. I recently discovered a box of Uncrustables hidden under their bed, prompting me to wonder what else might be lurking in there.
Acknowledging the Privilege
I recognize that all this extra clutter is a privilege, and I’m grateful for the distractions it provides while we stay safe at home. Yet, it’s not just the mess that fuels my anxiety; it’s the constant visibility of it. We’ve been sheltering in place for 26 days (but who’s counting?), and being cooped up for so long has heightened my awareness of things that previously didn’t bother me. Our basement, for instance, is a graveyard of forgotten toys. I’d love to declutter, but with donation centers closed, I’d just be moving items from one room to another.
I know clutter triggers my anxiety, so I make an effort to manage it. I enlist my family for help, yet no one else seems as troubled by the chaos as I am. I’m doing my best to avoid falling back into old habits, which typically involves grumbling under my breath while cleaning up dirty socks and empty cups until I erupt into a frenzy of rage-cleaning, exclaiming things like, “Am I the only one who sees this mess? Can’t you all pick up after yourselves? Seriously, are you trying to drive me crazy?!”
Finding Balance
Okay, deep breath. Sigh.
I don’t want to rage-clean or flip out over a few stray socks. But we’re perilously close, my friends.
While I wouldn’t label myself a “clean freak” (though the pandemic might just make a germaphobe out of me), the mountain of clutter is a significant anxiety trigger right now. Extreme situations call for extreme measures. So if you’re in the same boat, I grant you permission to tackle your clutter without guilt. Toss items in the trash with reckless abandon, channel your “mean mom” persona when needed to motivate your family to help out, and for heaven’s sake, just close the door to your kids’ rooms. You can tackle that mess another day.
Resources for Managing Stress
For more on managing the stress of parenting during these times, check out this post on Home Insemination Kit. And if you’re navigating your own fertility journey, Make A Mom is a fantastic resource. For a deeper dive into the IVF process, this article on Parents provides excellent insights.
Conclusion
In summary, managing clutter during challenging times can feel overwhelming, but recognizing its impact on anxiety can help in creating strategies to cope. Embrace the chaos, take control where you can, and remember that it’s okay to ask for help.
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